HYPERSONIC
XLC - KINGS DOMINION PICTURES Photos Of The Hypersonic XLC Rollercoaster at Paramount's Kings
Dominion
HyperSonic XLC is the USA's first air launched
rollercoaster. Riders are thrust from 0 to 80 miles per
hour in -get this-
1.8 seconds. The coaster's extreme launch lives up to its
name
(XLC stands for X-treme Launch Coaster.)
Following the unusually fast launch, riders travel vertically up
a 165 foot story tower. The 90-degree ascent makes
Hypersonic XLC the steepest roller coaster in the world (a
title shared with
a handful of other 90-degree coasters.) Once over the top, riders
fall straight down the other side.
The ride's power comes from giant compressed air tanks.
This is an adaptation of technology used to make the compressed
air "giant drop" tower rides.
8 passengers at a time can ride. The rollercoaster trains
are the first-ever to feature air-filled tires and shock
absorbers (like those on your car.) The ride is exceptionally
smooth.
The HyperSonic XLC was actually an existing experimental
rollercoaster that Kings Dominion purchased from a Utah company (S&S Power.) S&S had built
the rollercoaster (then it was called the Thrust Air 2000)
as a prototype at its headquarters. S&S used the prototype to
wow theme park executives from around the world and refine the
technology.
The Thrust Air 2000 prototype was developed into an operational
rollercoaster. It was then disassembled and moved from the
mountains of Utah to the Virginia countryside. When it debuted,
Hypersonic XLC broke world speed records and was named Ride
Of The Year.
Because HyperSonic XLC employed never-before used technology,
there were some growing
pains during its first operating season. Kings Dominion has
since addressed reliability concerns. Hypersonic XLC now operates
consistently.
Hypersonic XLC's design and technology have since been developed
into another roller coaster called the Dodonpa
("Big Dipper") in Fuji Yoshida, Japan--which was named the World's
Fastest Roller Coaster.
WHAT
IT'S LIKE TO RIDE THE HYPERSONIC XLC: Of course riders remark
on the quick launch and vertical climb. The vertical climb is
said
to be the ride's best part. You get "air time" (your rear tries
to
come up off the seat) going over the top hump. You're at the top
before
you've even had a chance to think about what's happening. Going
down
is fun, but not as much fun as going up. Once down the tower,
there
is a hard banking turn and a short run of track back to the station.
Riders
comment how quickly ride comes to an end and their desire to ride it
again.
Note:
This page contains several high resolution, large size
photographs. These photos were taken to be instructive and give
you the best possible feel for the park. As such this these
pictures may take extra time to download, especially with a dial-up
internet connection.
Inspiration for the the vertical hill came when the ride designer
was riding a snowmobile up a nearly vertical hill.
Picture of the sharp turn following the tower.
Picture of Hypersonic XLC train about to ascend the tower. TIP: Because each Hypersonic XLC train holds only 8
riders, capacity is low. Waits in line can be long. It's
best to arrive at Kings Dominion when the park opens and ride
Hypersonic XLC first.
Click below to continue your Virutal Tour of Kings Dominion.
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